Downtown revitalization project receives $250,000 planning grant

At Monday night's Sunnyside City Council meeting, interim city manager Frank Sweet announced that Sunnyside had been granted $250,000 in STP (Surface Transportation Program) funding to work on the Downtown Revitalization Project.

The Sunnyside Downtown Revitalization Action Plan was developed last fall by a steering committee of 23 business and property owners, community leaders and interested citizens in conjunction with Hulbregtse, Louman Associates, Inc., under the direction of then City Manager Mark Gervasi. The final plan, presented in December of 2011, was approved by the council at Monday's meeting.

The STP funding will be used for Phase I of the project, which will include detailed planning of the project.

Sweet is thrilled with the funding.

"This was done prior to me getting here," said Sweet. "The next step is to go ahead and get more funding and get this done."

The plan will develop the city core, centering on Sixth Street and Edison Avenue, improving traffic flow, pedestrian access to buildings and parking.

"When we work together, we get more done," said Sweet. "This project will be a benefit to all of Sunnyside."